DETROIT -- Tigers manager Jim Leyland is hesitant regarding Brayan Villarreal, neither wanting to overwork the right-hander nor place too much pressure on a 25-year-old who has found himself a spot in the bullpen.

But in discussing how he hoped to protect Villarreal, who has pitched longer than an inning in each of his past three appearances, Leyland couldn't help but rave about the Venezuelan.

“I have to watch him carefully,” Leyland said of Villarreal, who was expected to be made unavailable to pitch after going 1 1/3 innings on Friday. "He’s a real valuable commodity right now. He’s a little guy with little hands and a pretty violent delivery. And, he’s doing fantastic. He’s doing a tremendous job, but you have to be careful with guys like that. This guy is not very big in structure and physical, so I’m being careful with him because he’s a real prize right now."

The 6-foot Villarreal has struck out 29 batters against nine walks in 19 2/3 innings. He is 3-1 with a 1.37 ERA.

"He’s got a chance to have a bright future," Leyland said. "He’s settling down pretty good. I think his mound presence is much better. Basically, he’s throwing strikes and that’s the big thing with him. And, it takes time. But, yeah, I’ve got to watch him. When you’re a young kid, like he is, he wants it so bad and wants to stay in the big leagues. He’s going to tell you he can pitch whenever you ask him. But, sometimes, father knows best."Email Diamond Leung at dleung@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/diamond83.